[Deathstar 80]

Has anyone studied about the seven churches of Asia in the book of Revelation? I plan on explaining it a little bit eventually in this thread if no one else does, but I was just curious if anyone here had already studied about it or not. I personally find it very interesting.

Here's a link: Revelation 2-3

[LWC]

I have studied it and even taught it some. One thing I have learned, no two people ever seem to agree on Revelation, lol.

[Deathstar 80]

The bible prophecies in the book of Revelation are too difficult for me to understand... I've *attempted* to read books about the book of Revelation, but I don't understand anything that they say. Therefore, I've simply stopped trying to read those books.

However, one reason why I like reading about Revelation 2-3 is it isn't necessarily related to the other bible prophecies of Revelation (in other words, you can have a good understanding of it). Revelation 2-3 is somewhat related to bible prophecy in that Jesus sometimes predicts circumstances for the churches.

But I honestly can't emphasize enough of how important history is in Revelation 2-3. Jesus refers to things that the people in those specific cities would understand, but we probably wouldn't understand unless we learned about those cities during that time. An example is when Jesus tells the church of Laodicea to "anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see." In this verse, Jesus was referring to the valuable eye salve that the city was known to produce.

I'm not sure if Grant Jeffrey would mind or not, but I bought Grant Jeffrey's Prophecy Study Bible and I may copy exactly what he wrote down about this. He made a separate article specifically for the teaching of the Seven Churches in Asia Minor (Revelation 2-3).

[WideRight05]

The Seven Churches is an interesting part of Revelation, and honestly my favorite. I'm not sure what to believe on that part - some people say it represents Church ages, some say it was a message John had to those particular Churches. I think it is good to learn from what John was saying and apply it to our churches today. It seems like the Laodicean (spelling?) Church is quite common today given the spread of liberalism into the Churches.

[RunItUpTheGut]

The bible was meant to be understood differently by different idividuals IMO, and this is part of the bible may be the hardest to understand.
It comes down to how you find you own faith.

I admit i do not read the bible nearly as much as i should, but IMHO, some things were written to not be understood.

[Deathstar 80]

The bible was meant to be understood differently by different idividuals IMO, and this is part of the bible may be the hardest to understand.
It comes down to how you find you own faith.

I admit i do not read the bible nearly as much as i should, but IMHO, some things were written to not be understood.

Excellent post RIUTG. First of all, we all have different perceptions. You'll even notice that Christian icons such as Billy Graham and Tim Tebow sometimes have different opinions about what the bible says. We have to accept that there is only one truth, but we also have to accept the fact that we all have different perceptions and should remain together as one (as 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 mentions).

I want to say that I hope this thread doesn't split Christians apart. If it does, I would like a moderator to delete this thread.

About what you last said RIUTG, I also completely agree. I personally believe that God wanted us to not fully understand bible prophecy (and in some cases, not understand it at all) so that it would "keep us on our tip toes" as Christians.

[Granny Bear]

^^
To ME, the Bible says to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling.

Now, I full agree with your statement above; I hope this thread doesn't split Christians apart. If it does, I would like a moderator to delete this thread That's the last thing I would want to do in a discussion of this/these subject(s).

I'm not attempting to educate anyone here, this is just "sharing".

Those things being said, there is only one truth...and that's the one that is revealed to me/you by God...in my/your own personal relationship with Him. I believe that two people can read the same verse or scripture, receive two different meanings from that reading and both the accurate and applicable to their current trial/tribulation.
I try so hard to be very careful about saying to another person that they are "wrong", or their viewpoint is "wrong", etc. I have a picture on my facebook page that says not to judge others because you don't know what they are going through...and I think that's correct.

The one commandment given, the greatest commandment of all, is the only thing that I feel can be evenly applied to everyone. For me, if I can start with that commandment and study the Bible (to show myself approved unto God), then the other stuff will work out. When I do study the Bible, I try to clear my mind of everything and I pray/meditate for understanding. Sometimes I don't like what I hear/understand, but for me anyway, there's no other choice but to hear/receive with an open mind/ear.
The Bible also says to me that I shouldn't judge other folks; and if I do judge, that same judgement will be applied to me. Again to me, this says that I will receive, either from other people or from God, the same degree of understanding and forgiveness that I choose to give.
As easy as that may sound, it's difficult for me to do because of certain things that have happened in my life; so this is a main area where I need to really work.


Now, to answer your question Deathstar...we used to study the entire book of Revelation on Wednesday night's Bible study. It has been quite some time ago, but I have studied the subject matter that you asked about.

[Deathstar 80]

I'm going to go ahead and copy what Grant Jeffrey wrote about for the Seven Letters to the Churches. This is from Grant Jeffrey's Prophecy Study bible:

The Seven Letters to the Churches

The letters to the seven churches in Revelation are the last direct words we have from Jesus Christ. These seven short epistles are similar to Jesus' parables and his prophecy on the Mt. of Olives.


Ephesus (2:1-7) -- The Need for Revival

Ephesus was the wealthy capital of the Roman province of Asia and an important commercial and political center. Through Ephesus was famous for its temple to Diana, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, many of Ephesus' citizens came to faith in Christ under Paul's ministry. Paul founded the church at Ephesus and later asked Timothy to be its pastor (see Acts 19-20). The Ephesian church was also John's home church.

In the first of these brief letters the Lord commends the church at Ephesus for its genuine good works and its patient endurance. Yet Christ also criticized this church for abandoning their "first love" (Rev. 2:4). Though their doctrine was uncompromised, their passion for Christ was growing dim. Jesus urged this church to "remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works" (2:5), or else he would remove the light of God's truth from them. Tragically the church at Ephesus did not seek revival, and its spiritual light faded away, transferred to the growing, vibrant churches of the western Roman empire.


Smyrna (2:8-11) -- Stand Firm in Persecution

Smyrna was a wealthy port city known for its devotion to Rome and its pagan gods. The apostle Paul probably founded the church at Smyrna on his missionary journey to Ephesus (see Acts 19:10). Christ's message to Smyrna is one of praise and commendation. Though the church was severely persecuted by both the Jews and the Romans and kept in a state of perpetual poverty, the church at Smyrna was rich in spiritual gifts, perseverance and steadfast faith.

Christ warned the believers in Smyrna that they would have to undergo more persecution, but he promised them a "crown of life" (2:10) if they would remain faithful. Christ also promised that whoever "overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death" (2:11), referring to the spiritual death of the soul who rejects salvation.

Surely it is no accident that Smyrna and Philadelphia - the only two churches of these seven to escape Christ's condemnation - have both survived over the centuries. Today Smyrna boasts a population of over 300,000, a large percentage of which claim to be Christians.


Pergamos (2:12-17) -- The Seduction of Idolatry

Pergamos, located north of Smyrna in modern-day Turkey, was noted for its temples and sensual worship of pagan gods. After the fall of Babylon, Pergamos became the center of the Babylonian mystery religions. It also housed three huge temples that were used to worship the Roman emperor. One of the chief gods of Pergamos was Aesculapius, the god of healing, represented by a serpent. This serpent image was struck into many of the city's coins. Public festivals and ceremonies often centered on licentious parties and temple prostitution.

Christ commended the church at Pergamos for its faithfulness to his name and for its good works in the midst of idolatry and satanic spiritual assaults. Yet the church was in danger of losing its holy walk with God by tolerating those who committed sexual immorality and ate foods sacrificed to idols. Jesus warned that anyone who followed these practices should have no part in the church. Christ said he would give the believers in Pergamos spiritual food from heaven if they turned from food offered to idols, and he promised to also give them "a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it" (2:17).


Thyatira (2:18-29) -- The Lack of Self-discipline

Thyaira was a wealthy city known for its manufacture of purple cloth (see Acts 16:14). Located in modern-day Turkey, Thyatira is now called Ak-hissar. The church at Thyatira was commended for its love in practical service to the Lord and to others. However, it also tolerated sin within its community and lacked a zeal for true doctrine and Christian discipline.

Certain antinomian philosophers in the days of the early church taught the false doctrine that Christians could indulge in immorality as much as they desired because their sins were automatically forgiven. Though this was a direct contradiction to Scripture (see Rom. 6:15), a false prophetess pressed this belief on the church at Thyatira and led the church into immorality just as Jezebel in the OT had led Israel away from the true worship of God. These sinners forgot that without holiness no one can stand before the Lord (see Heb. 12:14). Though she had been given time to repent, this prophetess refused, and Christ declared that he would punish her and her followers. Those who had rejected her sinful suggestions were promised a reward - "power over the nations" (Rev. 2:26) and "the morning star" (2:28).


Sardis (3:1-7) -- The Lure of Materialism

Sardis was the capital city of the wealthy King Croesus. The residents of this city carried sardis stones as amulets to ward off evil spirits. They also were consumed with securing material success and wealth. The church at Sardis had fallen prey to this lure of materialism and carnal concerns. Though they boasted in their accomplishments, this church had lost its spiritual vitality. Christ's only words of commendation were directed to a remnant who truly followed him. Christ's word to the church at Sardis was a command to "be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die" (3:2).

The church at Sardis stands as a warning to churches today. While we tend to look at buildings, finances and the number of worshipers, God examines the heart of his church and its members as he evaluates the true spiritual health of the church. No matter how dead a church may seem, God may still have a faithful few "which have not defiled their garments" (3:4). Unless we, too, watch carefully for our Lord's return, our eyes will turn to this world and its cares. The prayer of every believer should be that we join that faithful remnant and walk closely with God.


Philadelphia (3:7-13) -- Faithful Love and Service

Thirty miles inland from Sardis was the city of Philadelphia. The church at Philadelphia was composed of a small group of poor Christians, rich only in the eyes of God. Of the seven churches, Philadelphia and Smyrna were the only ones to escape the Lord's criticism.

Christ commends the church at Philadelphia for its strength, faithfulness and evangelical witness. They believed the promise of Christ's second coming as they patiently watched for his appearance. Christ knew about their service for him and others and responded by giving them "an open door" (3:8) of witness that no one could shut.

Because of their faithfulness to him, Christ issued an incredible promise to spare the church at Philadelphia "from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." (3:10). Though some suggest that this verse meant that Christ would deliver the believers at Philadelphia from the horrible persecutions of the first century, this verse may also indicate a deliverance for the church from the horrors of the coming tribulation.

Christ also admonishes the believers at Philadelphia to "hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown" (3:11). Those who remained steadfast would become pillars in God's temple in heaven. This unusual statement refers to the custom in Philadelphia that rewarded noble citizens with the honor of having their name inscribed on a temple pillar.


Laodicea (3:14-22) -- Lukewarm and Self-satisfied

Built along the Meander River, Laodicea was a profitable trade center that manufactured a special eye ointment that was valued throughout the Roman empire. It also produced a unique, rich, black wool as part of a flourishing garment industry. Laodicea suffered a devastating earthquake during the reign of Rome but refused all outside help to rebuild the city. This self-sufficient attitude spilled over into the church and propelled it toward spiritual disaster.

Though some of the churches exhibited serious spiritual faults, the Lord commended something in every one of the churches with the exception of the church of Laodicea. Many of the believers in Laodicea followed a "prosperity gospel" that focused on their worldly wealth, spiritual pride and personal needs and desires. The Laodiceans believed that their success was evidence that they were pleasing God. Utterly blinded to their true spiritual condition, these believers felt that they were almost perfect even though they tolerated a hybrid worship of materialism and Christ.

The only good thing that can be said about this church is that there were still a few souls remaining within it who loved the Lord, but even their love was growing cold. The Lord's rebuke is clear: "Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth" (3:16). God hates lukewarm religiosity, and his judgment will fall on any church that compromises with evil.

Christ then urged the Laodiceans to turn back to true worship. To a city dependent on the garment industry and medicinal eye salve, the Lord advised the Laodicean believers to put on garments of righteousness and "anoint thine eyes with eyesalve" (3:18) to heal their spiritual vision. Although the letter to the Laodiceans is filled with warnings, the Lord's chastening indicates that he still loves them even though they have gone astray.

Hopefully, I didn't make a typo...

[Granny Bear]

Hey, I make so many typoes that I can just read right through them!!

[LWC]

One of my favorite parts to study and share is:

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

In those times, certain cultures would drink hot water and would drink cold water. Hot water was also known to have it uses, as did cold water. The Bible does not say either give up on faith or get it right. It is saying be faithful, serve the Lord with gladness, find a way to help further the Kingdom of God.

Also, "spew" is not a great translation, basically the meaning is puke. Lukewarm faith and actions are something that make the Lord sick enough to puke. Have you ever heard someone say "You make me sick", that is pretty much what is said.

Are you living a lukewarm life? Is your faith and Christian walk producing and bearing fruit? Would God be pleased with the life we are living and the witness that we carry?